NEW YORK — Ben True of North Yarmouth became the first American since 2007 to win the UAE Healthy Kidney 10K, nipping defending champion Stephen Sambu at the tape, in Central Park on Saturday.

True finished in 28:13, one-tenth of a second ahead of Sambu. Geoffrey Mutai, a two-time New York Marathon champion and the Boston Marathon record holder, was third in 28:20.

In this photo provided by the New York Road Runners, the first three finishers in the men’s division of the UAE Healthy Kidney 10k pose for a photo in New York City’s Central Park on Saturday. From left are, Kenya's Geoffrey Mutai, third place; American Ben True, first place; and Kenya's Stephen Sambu, second place.

Wilson Kipsang, who won the London and New York City marathons in 2014, finished fourth in 28:49.

True’s victory is the first by an American in this race since Dathan Ritzenhein finished first eight years ago.

True ran with Sambu and Mutai, the New York City Marathon record holder, early in the race. Approaching the final hill, True and Sambu were side-by-side with True edging Sambu at the tape.

“I told myself that if I was with them (at 8K) I’d have a good shot, because I was going to be too stubburn to let them get away from me with only 2K to go,” True said after the race.

True earned $25,000 for his victory Saturday.

This year, True has also won the BAA 5K and the USA 15K at the Gate River Run in Jacksonville, Florida. At the BAA 5K, True set the American road 5K record with a time of 13:22.

Joyce Chepkirui of Kenya successfully defended her title in the women’s race. She beat Gladys Cherono by one-tenth of a second, finishing in 32:33. Gemma Steel of Great Britain finished third in 33:47.

Related Stories